Learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities

We provide support for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Philip made massive progress on his work experience. By the end of his placement, he was able to communicate with not only store colleagues but customers too.
Philip made massive progress on his work experience. By the end of his placement, he was able to communicate with not only store colleagues but customers too.

Supporting you

This includes support for deaf students or those with hearing impairment, students with mobility difficulties, medical conditions such as epilepsy, and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.

Every year, we help more than 200 students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities learn and progress.

Our courses include gaining independent living skills, preparing for employment through work placements or working in the LLD/D run shop.

“Learners with high needs make outstanding progress as a result of the highly personalised curriculum and specialist support that enables them to realise their ambitions, get jobs or live more independently.” Ofsted 2022

We help students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in a variety of ways:

  • autism support: our Autism Spectrum Disorder Centre offers one-to-one support, Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy provision for learners with an Autism Spectrum Condition who are not able to access a mainstream environment
  • deaf support is available for our hearing-impaired students
  • dyslexia support includes assessment for special arrangements during exams and some one-to-one and small group support
  • exam support: Our exams office supports students who need additional time during exams, scribes, readers or additional equipment
  • Learning Support Assistants offer one-to-one or small group support to students with a variety of additional needs

We are also experienced in helping students with chronic fatigue syndrome, autistic spectrum disorders such as Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, mobility impairments, visual impairments and speech impairments. We also work with students with long term medical conditions and mental health issues.

“The provision for learners with high needs is especially ambitious and meets the needs of the high number of these learners studying across the college campuses exceptionally well.” Ofsted 2022

We provide:

  • advice and information on disability support and reasonable adjustments at the college
  • individual support plans
  • access arrangements in exams
  • specialist equipment
  • support workers and enablers, eg, note-takers, communication support workers for deaf students, mentors
  • liaison with academic department staff
  • assistance with diagnostic and needs assessment and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) applications
  • information about financial support that may be available

Any information you give us will be kept confidential and won't be used without your permission. 

Our courses vary. From gaining independent living skills to preparing for employment through work placements or working in our shops run by students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, we’ll help you go further.

Please contact us today to discuss your support needs.

Working in a busy, noisy environment, to strict deadlines, was a new concept to Philip but to see him in the kitchen now you would hardly believe it. He had a breakthrough in February 2020 when he started cleaning and tidying without being asked, which is a great skill for working in a professional kitchen! From Miriam White and Liz Turkington, Philip's teachers